Tractor.



N. K. WILCOX. TRACTOR.

A PPLICATION FILED DEC-27. l9\5 Patented Mar. 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEETI 171 6112 Ml. (0.x,

W xl.l.L f. 8 L ill N. K- WILCOX.

TRACTOR.

AP LICATION FILED DEC-27.1915.

1,258,512. I PatentedMar. 5, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

v fivzzrfon I Marrow/Karma M1. to);

N. K. WILCOX.

TRACT 0R. APPLICATION FILED DEC-2?. I915.

1,258,512. Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

5 SHEET$SHEET 3- Hard.

N. K. .WILCOX.

TRACTOR. Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

APPLICATION FILED DEC- 27. m5.

' -s sHEETs-sHEEH.

f In, I Wit P! I W IH' Z T u- I flaw 115 fiv'zfzw'f i' Myra/v ivrcwzo M4 ('01 Gav/1 7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

New'roN KINCAID wrnoox, or PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

TRACTOR.

Application filed December 27, 1915.

many purposes and adaptable for a great variety of conditions. My invention is pa rticularly useful for agricultural purposes,

although it may be used to great advantage for any traction purpose.

In carrying" out my invention 1 provide afra'me, narrow in comparison to its length,

supported on longitudinally alined wheels, one of which is the driving or traction wheel and another of which is the steering wheel.

"lh'c f-ra'me carries a suitable motor and drivingfinech'anism connecting the motor with the traction wheel." To maintain the tractor, thns'su-pported on the alined wheels. in an upright-position, I provide a laterally extending arm atthe outer end of which is mouiitedui wheel adapted to run on ground.

'lhi's iarm is so attached to the tractor as to,

pret i'lt'any'relative. vertical m oveinent of the heelat the end thereof with relation to thedtractmy' and the combined. weight of the wheel and arm is sutiicient to prevent the tractor tipping in a direct on away from this wheel, while the rigidity of the arm prevents' the tractor tipping toward this wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide for readily changing the position of this laterally extending arm and stablizing wheel from one side of the tractor frame to the. other. A more specific object is to provide. means for varying the distance between the path-of the stabilizing wheel and the path of the alincd wheels, so that the stabilizing wheel ma) run in a path very close to that of the alnied wheels, or may be separated therefrom at any suitable distance.- Still 'another object of the. invention is to cause the laterally extending arm to clear obstructions between the path of the alined whcelsandthc path of the stabilizing wheel. This I accomplish by providing an upwardly extending arched portion in the outstanding arm, which arch ma y, for Multiple,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

Serial No. 68,640.

pass freely over rows of grape-vine stumps, young corn stalks; celery, sugar beets, and like obstructions. Still another object is to so construct the arm as to .allowfor'va'" ing the width, height and lateral position 0 the arched portion of the arm.

Still another object is to maintain the frame and alinedwheels in their normal upright position while the alincd wheels are running on a different level of ground than the stabilizing wheel. This I accomplish by so attaching the arin to the-frame that the stabilizing wheel may be moved upwardlv and downwardly with relation to the alined wheels.

Some of theimportant features of my invention are as follows: The alinedwheels may run in a narrow row or path which is very desirable when used for agricultural )urposes, for this permitsthe vehicle to pass tween rows of growingvegetables while the stabilizing wheel'nniy run in an adjacent parallel row without; coming in-contact ,witli the intervening plants; the shifting; of the Stabilizing wheel from one sideof'thealined wheels to the other permits'thei tractor to be used for pulling' .cult.ivating implements verv close to fences, rows of trees, stumps and the like, at e thr -side. ofithof alined wheels; the tractlon'ijwheel and steering wheel, being inhalineinent and mounted in a rigid frame, provides for the' most convenient attachment of the implement to'be drawn by the tractor, at a point in alinement with these wheels, thus providing a direct pull in the path of the traction wheel, which secures the most ellicie'nt use of the tractors power as well as greatly facilitating the steering of the tractor.

y invention is hereinafter more fully dcscri bed in connection with the accompany? ing drawings and the essential characteristics of my invention are summarized'in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure'1- is a side elevation of my tractor; Fig. 2 is a plan of the same, some ofthe parts-being omitted for clearness; Fig. 3 is a conventional plan on'a' reduced scale, showing-the 40 so; mounted as to have its plane of rotation ismounted, the plane of thesection being indicated bythe line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a'rear View of the tractor frame showing the stabilizing wheel and arm; Fig. Tis a similar view of amodified construction of the outstanding arm for the stabilizing Wheel showing the arched portion adapted to clear obstructions between the paths of '.the alined wheels and the out-standing wheel; Fig. 8 is avertical sectional detail showin the meansfor pivotally attaching the Sta ilizing arm totheframe; Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the tractor showing a means for bracing the outstanding arm;

10 is a detail view of the bracing,

mechanism lookingfrom the ri ht in Fig. 19; Fig. 11 is a view'similar to ig. 6, illustrating the means for varying the relative height: of the stabilizing wheel; Fig. 12 is a horizontal'section through the pivoting device showing the arm -in a horizontal position'; Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 13-13' of Fig. '12.

- Referrin to the drawings by reference numerals, t e frame proper of my tractor is along narrow structure comprising two,

side frame membersl and 2, braced ateach end bytransverse members 3 and 4. These frame members are preferably formed of '80 wardlyand are secured to ether at the cor- 'ners by suitable bracing evic'es as shown.-

' Near the' rear channel bars with the flanges turned out---- ortion' of this frame, and

".betvveen'the si e members, is mounted a tra'ction wheelfi10, having its'shaft 11 ex}- tending outwardly beneath the members of the'frame to suitable bearing boxes 12, se-

' cured to the underside of the frame .members' as shown; At the forward end of-the tractor is a steering'wheel indicated at 15,

} chan d with relation to the frame, for

steering the-tractor, as will be hereinafter described. The steering wheel-15 is in longitudinal alinement with the traction wheel 10 and referably runs normally in the m1d dle of t e-path of'the traction wheel.

At20 is indicated amotor suitably carried-on' the frame and shown as having lateral extensions of its crank shaft 21 extend ing transversely of the frame and bearing insuitable boxes indicated at 23, and having atone side a" fly-wheel 24, preferably at the inner side-:ofthe frame member 1, Near shaft, over which runs adapted to drive a largeg sprocket wheel 27 on a transverse shaft 2 K0 29 "with speed change gears, whlch may be the other side frame member ma be provided a. sprocket wheel' 25 on t e engine sprocket chain 26 preferably operatively connected through an alined shaft mounted in a suitable casing indicated at 30. The shaft 28 may be connected with the shaft 29 through a suitable clutch indicated at 3 2, shown asoperated by a bell-crank 33,

which may be controlled by the operator throu h mechanism not shown. A small sproc et' wheel indicated at and preferably driven by the change gears, may

serve ted rive a sprocket chain 36 running over a comparatively large sprocket wheel 40, mounted on the shaft 11 and rigidly connected with the wheel 10, for. driving this traction wheel. 1 The purpose of the change gears, which may be used, is to provide for two or 'more speeds forward as well as for reversing the tractor, and they may be operated by any suitable means. A1234: is indicated a bell crank, shown as connected with a member extending into the change. gear casing for operating such gears.

. While the' motor may be of any suitable type, I have shown an internal combustion motor requiring a water cooling system, Accordingly, I provide a suitable radiator,

indicated at 45, mounted above the forward end of the frame and shown as connected with the water jacket of the motor through tubes 46 and 47. a

The wheel 15 is shown as having its shaft 16 "ournaled. in downwardly extending brac et arms 17 rigid with an outwardly extending flange member 18 rotatablv engaging a rabbet formed in the lower side of the late 47, shown as integral with downwar ly extending flanges 48, fitting between the websiof the side members 1 and 2 and :against theforward cross member 4. At 50 l are indicated bolts which pass through these flanges and the'webs of'the frame members, for securely holding this bearing'memherv in A ositiom Clamps shown at 49 as engaging neath the flange-18 hold it in engagement with the rabbet. Shown as carried above .the plate47 is'a wormgear 52 formed on a portion '53 extending upwardly from the flange 18. A worm 54 engaging the teeth of. the worm gear and mounted in bearings '55 may be rotated by a shaftofi, donnected with the worm shaft through a universal joint 57, and adapted to be turned by-a hand erably positioned where it may be reached by the operator at the-rear of the tractor.

.wheel 58. The rod 56 is shown as extending rearwardly and the hand wheel 58 is pref At 60 is indicated a seat for the operator,

of the form illustrated part-icularl in Figs.

2 and (i, will now be described.

The transverse member 3 of the frame is preferably a comparatively large transverse angle bar having flanges 70 and 71, the latter shown as extending downwardly pastthe frame members 1 and 2 and c'arrying on the rear of its vertical flange 71- an outwardly extending cl'evis 72 adapted to embrace the sidesof-a bifurcated head 73 pivoted in the clevis 72 by a: pin 74. The head 73 is provided with a cy'lin'drical shank adapted to be firmly secured within a tubular, member 75 forming a portion o'f'the outstanding arm 80, at the end of which is jouunaled a stabilizing wheel 85. Fitting within the tube 75 is a second tube '77, which receives at its outer-end a block 78 formed rigid with anloutwardly eiitending bearing for the wheel 85. The tubes 7 5 and-77 are adapted .to-telescope one into the other, to provide for varying the distance between the path of the'wheels 15 and 10 and the path of the wheel 85. The tube 77 may be moved into and out of the tube 75 "and-"be secured in any,

desiredposition by inwa rally extending bolts 76 adapted to engage threaded openings 79 Near the outer end of the tube 77 is a clip 1 87 surrounding the tube and; having for- Wardly extending ears 88 adapted to be en g'aged b ,the downwardly hooked I portion of a :re

89. Therod extends diagonally toward-the frame and has at its forward end av, downwardly hooked portion which may enga' e anyone of a series of separatedholes 90,, "own as provided through the'upper flangeofthe side members 1 and 2. 'As-the the arm takes a, .right'angles to t ,;tube575fand77 are telesooped to V'ary the length. of-the arm, it is necessary=-to hold the armiatits proper position-(that is at 'r ghtwa'ngles t0 t -P Offlthe "alined eels), by-changing the forward-end of the It will bel readily-seen that by merelyfun rearwardl about the pin 7 s an'axis; until y osition s ilbstantially at l eqiath 'of the steering and traction wheels atthe opposite side of such path. The conventional view shown in Fig. 3' illustrates such a posititm of the arm and stabilizing wheel with the Bracing rod 89 in the corresponding position. i

To provide separated points .of attach" ment for the arm, thereby securing rigidity,

I .have shown lock-members or (511135"9-l exterior of the tube 75, I these members at each end of the flange 71,

(Figs. 6 and S), secured to the hack of the angleplate' flange 71 and extending-rearwardly across the end thereof and having a bifurcated portion adapted to embrace the As there is one of the outsta-l'idim arm is engaged at longitudinally separated points, that is, at its pivot and. bythe projections of'the members $11,

I, i Whether extending at the right or left side of the frame.

The tractor may be connected with any implement to be drawn thereby, such a p which are embracetllbyl tub '1'0d89 from one of the holes 90 t0 another. .0

- and extending downwardly and rearwardly and'connected 'bya T-bar cross member 66 shown as providechwith suitable openings 67 (Fig. 7), through the rearwardly projecting flange, for t-he convenient attachment of an implement to lie'drawn. KVhile this means for attaching the implement to be drawn is advantageous, as it tends to pull downwardly on the forward portion of the frame, if desired the implement may be attached to the pivot pin H between thebearing portions of the bifurcated head 73.

In order that the stabilizing wheel 85 may run in a path separated from the path of the alined wheels by rows of growing'plants or other obstructions, without the arm encountering such-obstructions, I mayprovide upwardly turnedelbow 97. The 'block' 78'- carrying the joligizilfgiflthe' wheel is shown I, ;v

t 195' nallyfiadjustable in amup'wardly tn rned elf- 'bo'w 99, similar to theelbow97; At 100 an as carried in a 98, whiolris longitudk 101 are indicated screws similar to the screw 76 anda'dapted to clamp-the elbowsq97gand t i 99 in; osition over fthe membersjfifi and 98. ;{100 -The e] ows 973and {)flea'rry. tubesIOZ'th-rGadi ed therein,whichin-turn embrace tuhes'loai v I.

. i 0* threaded into, the downwardl-f extending, portionfof elbows -l06r The e] ows'106-are;conneeted, hbyfI-tixbes 107 threaded {into thejelbows, and

a tube 108 engagingth ef interior- Tofuth provided with openings 109 whichmay re; f

ceive screws 110, for securing thes tubes in any desired relatit'e" P0811100; Thus the tubes forming the inverted U-shztped portion I of thefioutstanding arm may conveniently,

belongitudinally adjust-ed. v

It will be seen that by the lnseof the above construhtion the inverted 'lJ-shaped "a r'ch in the outstanding arm may be adjustedah ally alhn'g the arm; The up'stauding n tions (it; the .U may he lengthen ed or shoi y 9.120 nut ,bea'ariedf ened, [thereby raising -t-he"= tion, and the width o f 'th by slidingthe tubs lO'l: -t

t g ug "n 'is usedit isi/desir;

' the arched portionof the arm is designed to clear. In Fi Band is shown an upwardly arched brace 112, preferably comprising a tubular member having its ends 5 flattened as at 113 and .114 and each extending Y in a horizontal plane. These flattened por- Jtions 113 and 114 preferably have only one 0 'ening through which may extend a suit-. a lelbolt for securing them ,to the upper 1 1 0 flange of the sidemember of the frame and the clip 115 carried at the outer end ofthe arm. As the upwardly extending portions j of the arm and the connecting portion stand that this. brace maybe use equally well with f the'farm at either side of the frame of the '3 "tractor. To further steady the upper portion of the areh lunay'provide a clip 117,

Yu w t around the innerelbow 'Iabl parts einbraced traction lof th I the I I 94 correspondingly lowerlng or raising the wheel85.

'66 As a means for accomplishing this rais threaded through the horizontal fla substantiallyin the same lane it is obvious lofiifand connec awith thi'sclip is abuse .118fl8mndin downwardly l to the iup per 'fien e ofthe le member; The brace-.118" er tr jc 'r i tpr fembly ta lieadily confloerm ,vofithe engine shaftJ-Q I onwhic 'boltedllawpulley, lOfishown as I inwardly-turned flange to reeeive'j the bolts. @When used as. aim

vthehalined wheels in a 'dei'ic'e will now. be ae- I claim is:

ing and lowering I have shown a screw 132, of the an le bar 3 and having at its ower end an en arged head 133, shown as 'en a ing a T-slot in the upper side of the i e 70 126 so that the slide maybe either raised or lowered by turning: the \Screw: 132 by 'means of a suitable crankvor hand wheel 135.

I It is obvious that this raising and lower- I mgIde'vlce may be used-either"with the stralght arm or with the-arched arm, and

.may raise or lower the' stabilizing wheel whether at the right "or the left sideof the fr'ame. From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a tractor accomplishing the objects set forth andhaving a very wide adaptability. My device may. be readily and ,chea ly manufactured; it're- I quires no unusua mechanical construction,

is very durable and-has no partsiliable' to get outof order. -Among other advantages -,the following may-be set forth.'gfMany of the eonditionsincldentto agriculture (such for exam leims the' distance betweenfrows "'oi glants ihave beenestablished orses;

9 f" a a i m eul i if n A y. having an r the pulle'yf l lO may be removed, allowing the tractor to be'run veryclose to obstacles, as the disk projjects buta slight distancepast the side of the frame.

. Having thus my invention, what I-. In a tractor; the eombinationz'ofa 'tractron and steering ,wh eel in" lon 'tud-inal alinement, a framecarriedby sue wheels, an extensible armpivot'ally attached to 'the a *frame. having end a wheel on s'ai bearing'ada' ted to run I in a. ath parallel 'Itothe path o the alined whee, s,"sa1dI'fa1-n1, and wheel being: adaptedto be swung about the I I of the first mentioned w leels to the other.

a rlgid bear-111g at its outer ivot from one side 125 2. 'In a tractor, the combinationof a pair of longitudinally alined wheels, n frame carried by said wheels, an arm attached to the frame adapted to extend therefrom at either side of the frame, a wheel journaled 1S0 attlie outer end of said arm, and means for changing the lateral distance between the path of said wheel and the path of the alined wheels.

3. In a tractor. the combination of a pair of longitudinally -alined wheels, a frame carried b said wheels, an arm attached to the frame adapted to extend therefrom at either side of the frame, means for preventing vertical movement of the arm relative to the frame, a wheel journaled at the outer end of said arm. said arm comprising a plurality of parts longitudinally slidable. and means for clamping sue-h parts together.

4. In a tractor. the combination of a steering andtraction wheel in lpngitudiual alinement, :1 frame narrow in comparison to its lengtlrsupported by such wheels, an ar n pivoted to the frame. a wheelxjournaled at the fouterend'fof siliililtllhfitlld arm com-- prising a pkliil'illllyt of parts adapted to slideoneI'o'rer an ther to change the length thereof, and-meas in positions projecting laterally from the fra beitherddc, v I

5 n a'fi-actor, the qo n bination of'a'stee ing l traction wheel iirlongitudinal ali'ile nie :frinne supportedbv such wheels'ian arm ted to the fame, a wheel jo'urattled atfthe titerend offslhlgl arm, saidti com oneiov'ertanothen tbcha of hrace extending from the ontcr'end or said. rm'to the fi ame'aand means for. attach,-

idIb'rac'e to the frame at ditferent pai 6.;1n a tractor, the combination ojf-ahned steering and traction'whecls, i1 fram'e, car'- ried by said wheels, an arin adapted to project laterally from the frame at. either side,-

ing an intermediate vertical off-set portion extending upwardly. and then transversely and then downwardly between the frame and wheel and adapted to clear obstructions between the paths of the alincd wheels and the wheel journaled on the arm.

7. In a tractor, the combination of alined steer ng and traction wheels, a frame car-' ried by said wheels, an arm adapted to proje'ct laterally from the frame, means for attaching said arm to the framewhereby it may'serve to maintain the frame in an upright position, a wheel journalcd at t-he outer end of said arm, said arm having an intermediate upwardly extending oti-set portionadaptcd to clear obstructions between the paths of the alined wheels and the wheel journaled on the arm, aml upwardly arched bracing means extending from the outer end of the arm diagonally to the frame.

intermediate inverted U-shaped portiom and portions of the U. torrigidly liolding said arm:

,tlio' ar 'n in a laterally the: g a'plurality :of' arts ii dziptqlj-tojlide' 't ig'e t he lemitlrtheres such 'licels,'amoto and (lri-rin'g anecha f steering aml traction wheels, a frame Carried by such wheels, a motor and driving mechanism carried by the frame. a laterally extending arm secured to the frame, a wheel 'jnurnaled on said arm, means for holding,

the arm in a laterally extending position at. the side. of the framtusaid arm having an means for laterally adjusting the upstanding 10. In a tractor, the combination of alined steering and traction wheels, a frame ear-. ried by such wheels a motor and drivingniechanism carried l he frame, a laterally x'tendi'ng armiseeurcs to'the fruiue, a wheel JQIIIllitlL'd .onfsaid leans forpholding tending posit ion at aidfarm having an '95 -'shaped portion, means' for verticallv id usting a connectingv )ortion oflthcgu, beans for changing the hitc'ralpositim ,o the upwardly.extends-1 ng -iIiverted-U'port .59. .100

' omhination of 'al-ined llzxIn a-traetor,'tl stcerlngand tr'actr leels..a fram'wcarricd' .ide 'of the in intermed ate |n\'e nism carried by th f ra'me, a laterally extending, arm seeuredfto the .frame, irwheel journaled on said arni,'means for holding the arm in a laterally extending position at. the side of the. frame, said arm having an in termediate inrertcd U-shaped portion, nicans for vertically adjusting a connecting portion of the U, means for changiugthe relative lateral position of the upwardly extending inverted U portion, and means for changing the overall length ofthe arched arm. r

12. In a tractor, the'combinationpf steering and traction wheels in longitudinal alinement, a frame narrow in comparison to its length carried by said whe.els,.-an arm adapted to extend laterally from the frame in either direction, a. wheel journaled at the outer end of said arm, an elf-set portion in said arm extendingu wai-dly and downwardly between the eric s of the. arm, and a brace. also upwardly arched and connecting 7 an arm adapted to project. laterally from the frame, a wheel journaled at the outer end of said arm and adapted to run in a path separated from the path of the alined wheels, said arm comprising a plurality of telescoping tubular members, and means for clamping cmof the members to another.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination of alincd steer'ingand traction wheels, a frame carried by such wheels, a stabilizing arm extending laterally from the frame, a wheel journaled at the outer end of said arm and adapted to run in a path parallel to that of the alined wheels, said arm comprising a plurality of tubular 'mcmbers connected by intermediate elbows providing an upwardly extending arched taching the arm to the frame, additional means ri idly carried by the frame for engaging t e arm when it is rojecting to either side of the frame, and a race for the outer end of the arm.

16. In a tractor, the combination of alined wheels a frame carried by such wheels, an arm adapted to interchangeably project laterally from the frame at either side, a wheel journaled at the outer end of such arm, and adjustable means for raising and lowering in the outer end of the arm by changing the angle of the longitudinal portion thereof with relation to the frame.

11 In a tractor, the combination of alined wheels, a frame carried by these wheels, a stabilizing wheel, an arm projecting laterally from the frame having the stabilizing wheel journaled at its outer end, and means for attaching; the arm and the frame in such a manner that it may be swung in a vertical plane transversely of the frame to raise and lower the stabilizing wheel with "elation to the frame.

18. In a tractor, the combination of alined wheels, :1 frame carried by these wheels, a stabilizing wheel, an arm on which the stabilizing wheel is journaled adapted to project laterally from the frame, a member carried by the frame adapted to embrace said arm, a member for pivoting the arm to the frame at a point separated from the last named member, and means for verticallyadjusting one 01. said two last n'ientioued members for raising or lowering the outer end of the arm.

19. In a tractor, the combination of longitudinally alined wheels, a frame carried by these wheels, an arm adapted interchangeably to project laterally from the frame at either side, means for pivoting the inner end of the arm to the frame whereby the arm may be swun from side to side, means at eaclf'side of t e pivot separated therefrom for embracing the arm providing rigidity in operation, a slide carrying said pivot, and screw mechanism for raising and lowering said slide whereby the outer end of said arm may be raised and lowered, and a wheel journaled at the outer end oi'said arm.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto atlix mv signature.

NEWTON KINCAID NILCOX. 

